Friends moving forward together

Recently, the story of the beautiful friendship of Hoang Ngoc Chi and Nong Trieu Anh, class 7A1, Quang Lac Secondary School, Lang Son city has touched many teachers and friends in the school. Born and raised together since early years until now, Ngoc Chi doesn’t mind difficulties in helping Trieu Anh (who is deaf) in her study and life.

Having the opportunity to visit Quang Lac Secondary School, Lang Son city in mid-March 2023, we came to know about the touching story in many years of  Hoang Ngoc Chi and Nong Trieu Anh. Nong Trieu Anh is a special student. She was deaf since she was born , she could neither hear nor speak, therefore, she faced many obstacles in learning and daily activities. Despite being deaf, Trieu Anh has always dreamt about going to school and study as many of his peers. Fortunately for Trieu Anh, while living and studying, her friend Hoang Ngoc Chi enthusiastically supported her.

Ngoc Chi and Trieu Anh live near each other (in Quang Lien 2 village, Quang Lac commune), they grew up together since childhood, they have spent time meeting and playing, they have their own language and signs in communication. Helping Trieu Anh for 7 years, Chi always tried to attend school as frequently as possible regardless of the weather because she was afraid that if she was absent from school, her friend would have difficulty communicating and receiving the lessons. When we met Hoang Ngoc Chi, we were impressed by her small figure, bright eyes, exuding agility, intelligence, and kindness. Sharing with us, Ngoc Chi said: “In our class, because Trieu Anh could not hear the teacher’s voice, she could not speak her thoughts and raise any questions, I have to use gestures and eyes to communicate and support her… In order to help her, I have to focus on the lesson to understand it then pass it on to Trieu Anh. For example, I will explain to her about the fish by winding my hand then pointing to the picture in the book, simple calculations by counting my fingers. To express my feelings, I will show them on my face…”

Hoang Ngoc Chi (right) supports Nong Trieu Anh in her studies

 At the school, the teachers always pay attention to finding ways to help and encourage these two to try their best in their studies. Commenting on her students, Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hang, head teacher of class 7A1 said: “Ngoc Chi and Trieu Anh are both good students, they study hard and actively participate in activities of the class. Ngoc Chi is a student with good study results in all subjects, on average, she always gets good grades. As for Trieu Anh, currently, the school does not evaluate her study results, but we always try to integrate body language in the lecture for her to understand. In the class, I make Chi and Trieu Anh sit next to each other in the front desk with the aim of facilitating the study of Trieu Anh. During the lesson, there were times when Trieu Anh did not understand what the teacher was saying. Thanks to Ngoc Chi’s enthusiastic help, Trieu Anh was able to understand the lesson and absorb knowledge faster, especially in the process of doing homework.

Every day, during Trieu Anh’s study, Hoang Ngoc Chi was always by her side. Sharing with us about her dream, Hoang Ngoc Chi wishes to continue to accompany Trieu Anh until 12th grade and to become a very good doctor treating many patients, including Trieu Anh. Ngoc Chi’s dream is small but contains a lot of love for her friend. It is believed that with Trieu Anh’s efforts to overcome difficulties and Hoang Ngoc Chi’s love and companionship, their dreams will come true.